Study on Energy-Efficient Kinematics of a Flapping Wing using Computational Fluid-Structural Dynamics

Energy-efficient kinematics of a flapping wing was studied using computational fluid-structural dynamics. Wing kinematics is a crucial factor in determining the flight efficiency of a flapping-wing air vehicle. In this study, a two-dimensional flexible wing with flapping and pitch motions was considered, and the relationship between wing kinematics and efficiency was analyzed by solving the governing equations for the fluid and structure. We observed that the power of the wing is greater when the flapping speed is higher. Additionally, we found that a relatively small pitch motion compared to the flapping motion can deteriorate the efficiency. Based on the analysis, we proposed new kinematics, which was validated through computational fluid-structural simulations, to increase efficiency.